Chapter v12c22

**Ascending Mount Hua**

– The Three Trials

That night, in a room at the Plum Blossom Inn.

“Whaaat! T-That’s… That’s absurd…”

He couldn’t recall when it had all started, but it had progressed so swiftly that it had left Yeomdo and Binggeom utterly speechless. The one who had just cried out was Yeomdo.

It was all because of an outrageous proposition made by an old man. And to make matters worse, the one who had brokered this deal was none other than Bi Ryu-yeon.

Despite Yeomdo and Binggeom’s stunned silence, Bi Ryu-yeon remained calm and composed.

“It’s not impossible, is it?”

His words were like adding fuel to the fire.

“Absolutely not!”

Yeomdo and Binggeom, for once in agreement, shouted in unison. However, they couldn’t bring themselves to point fingers at the old man, calling him crazy. There was something about the old man’s aura that made them instinctively wary.

It had happened when they first met him, introduced by Bi Ryu-yeon.

The old man had looked at Yeomdo first, then Binggeom, his gaze sharp and dissecting. They felt as if his eyes were piercing through them, and they knew instinctively that he was no ordinary person.

“Hahaha, what interesting youngsters I’ve met. Is this another fateful encounter orchestrated by the heavens?”

The old man chuckled, his wrinkled face creased with amusement.

“?”

His sudden laughter only deepened the mystery surrounding him. It was a disrespectful act, regardless of his age. But neither Yeomdo nor Binggeom could bring themselves to stop him. They felt an instinctive aversion, although they couldn’t pinpoint the reason.

From that moment on, they had been treating the old man with respect, careful not to offend him. And this continued even now, as he made his outrageous proposition.

“Did you receive a bribe, perhaps a lump of gold?”

Yeomdo, who had known Bi Ryu-yeon longer than Binggeom, asked sharply. Bi Ryu-yeon flinched slightly but quickly regained his composure.

“I don’t think I’m obligated to answer that.”

He was right. A master wasn’t obligated to answer every question from his disciples. Unless he felt like it…

But as Yeomdo had astutely pointed out, there seemed to have been some sort of financial transaction between them. Yeomdo was frustrated that he couldn’t expose the truth hidden behind the veil of secrecy.

“But this is too important. And it’s not a game. We can’t make such an important decision lightly.”

Binggeom said firmly. The old man replied,

“Don’t worry, no one will care.”

The old man’s attitude was so nonchalant that it made them wonder if he was related to Bi Ryu-yeon. His carefree optimism only deepened their suspicions.

Binggeom, suppressing his frustration, shouted,

“They will care!”

The reason why Yeomdo and Binggeom, these two unruly individuals, were speaking respectfully to this mysterious old man with gray hair was because of the strange feeling he evoked. From the moment they met him, they had found it difficult to deal with this seemingly insignificant, small old man. It wasn’t that he felt unfamiliar, but rather, too familiar. They sensed a faint resemblance to their deceased master. Naturally, they couldn’t help but be respectful. (Of course, they weren’t referring to their current master, Bi Ryu-yeon.)

No matter how difficult he was to deal with, they couldn’t accept his proposition. Their resolve was as firm as an impenetrable fortress.

Then the old man, who had been silently observing, spoke. His words sent Yeomdo and Binggeom into a state of shock and confusion, a feeling far more profound than the absurdity they had felt until now.

“…Have you two found a talent worthy of Taiji?”

The disciples couldn’t understand why this old man, who had suddenly appeared out of nowhere, was accompanying them to Mount Hua. In fact, they wondered if it was even possible. But Yeomdo and Binggeom’s sharp gazes silenced any questions or objections. They simply explained that he was an important figure related to the Mount Hua Convention.

“Obey your superiors!” Their gazes conveyed a clear message: Don’t ask questions, or else.

It was impossible to question or object in such an atmosphere, unless they had several spare lives. Thus, the old man’s participation in their journey to Heavenly Martial Peak was decided. Heavenly Martial Peak was originally called Falling Goose Peak, the southernmost of the five highest peaks of Mount Hua, named after the geese that were said to fall from the sky while flying over it. It was also the most treacherous of the five peaks, with numerous cliffs and gorges. But ever since the Mount Hua Convention began to be held there, it had become known as Heavenly Martial Peak, and no one called it Falling Goose Peak anymore.

“We’ll ascend Mount Hua’s Heavenly Martial Peak tomorrow.”

Binggeom declared. And the final meeting was adjourned, leaving behind a residue of unanswered questions and suspicions.

Daybreak arrived.

The Cheonmu Academy delegation, bathed in the gray light of dawn, renewed their resolve and meticulously cleaned their weapons.

Most of these weapons were treasured heirlooms, passed down from their sects, families, or masters, practically extensions of themselves. Only they knew the vows and oaths they made as they cleaned their weapons, their only companions and protectors, the instruments that would bring them honor and glory.

They had faced many hardships. The journey had been far more difficult than they had anticipated. But they had finally arrived. Heavenly Martial Peak, their destination, loomed before them, its peak shrouded in mist. Today, they would ascend it. A new world, filled with challenges and experiences, awaited them.

It was only natural for their hearts to pound with anticipation.

“Zzz… Zzz… Zzz…”

But amidst this solemn atmosphere of resolve, there was one person who seemed oblivious to the mood, still curled up in bed, fast asleep. It was Bi Ryu-yeon.

Some frowned, their eyes filled with disapproval, while others looked at him with a mixture of awe and envy at his carefree indifference.

He finally got out of bed when it was almost time for breakfast. The inn had been booked entirely for the Cheonmu Academy delegation, so there was no one else in the dining hall. (It was for their convenience and to prevent any unforeseen incidents. And as renowned figures, they preferred to avoid unnecessary attention.)

Unlike their usual lively atmosphere, they ate their breakfast in silence. It was hardly an enjoyable meal.

“Have you all finished?”

Binggeom asked, looking around.

“Yes!”

They replied in unison.

“Then let’s go!”

The delegation rose from their seats. Their faces were filled with determination.

It was time to depart.

“That’s not the way!”

Binggeom stopped the disciples.

“What? Where?”

Yeomdo, who had been about to take a step, turned around, his foot still in midair. Binggeom sighed and shook his head, his expression a mixture of exasperation and pity.

“Where should we go then?”

Namgung Sang quickly asked, before Yeomdo’s temper could erupt.

Binggeom pointed to the left, towards a wooded area with a barely discernible path, a stark contrast to the well-maintained road they had been following.

Yeomdo’s already fierce expression contorted further. Nothing good could come out of that face.

“Over there?”

Binggeom nodded. It looked treacherous and difficult to climb.

“We have to take that squirrel trail when there’s a perfectly good road right here?”

Binggeom simply nodded, too tired to explain.

“Why? What’s the reason? Enlighten me, if you would.”

Binggeom replied slowly, ignoring Yeomdo’s sarcastic tone.

“That road is for ordinary people, guests, and goods. The Mount Hua Convention delegation cannot take that path. We’re not here for sightseeing. We’re here to face trials. These youngsters have to pass the tests.”

The path Binggeom pointed to was overgrown with trees, casting deep shadows. It was filled with treacherous cliffs and rocky slopes, clearly a difficult route.

“Tests?”

Yeomdo’s voice rose in disbelief.

“I haven’t heard anything about tests! And there were no trials or gates in the previous convention!”

It was news to him.

“You might not have heard, but I did. And these trials are new, introduced for this convention. I heard that we have to pass three gates, face three hardships, and overcome three fears before we can reach our destination.”

“Why did you hear about it, and I didn’t? Does that make any sense? It’s unfair!”

Yeomdo, feeling slighted, burst into anger.

“Of course. You’re not trustworthy. And you seem to have forgotten that I outrank you. Please don’t forget. It’s very unpleasant.”

Binggeom said calmly, his words sharp and direct. It was true that Yeomdo was just a martial arts instructor, while Binggeom was one of the chief instructors, overseeing all the instructors. But that didn’t mean Yeomdo had become docile. He wouldn’t have joined this organization if it hadn’t been for Bi Ryu-yeon. It was all Bi Ryu-yeon’s fault.

The boiling kettle finally overflowed.

“What!”

Yeomdo’s anger exploded. It was obvious that their bickering would delay their departure.

The fight ended. The seemingly endless fight between the two men was stopped by a single person.

“Can we leave now that you’re done?”

Bi Ryu-yeon’s words, as if imbued with a magical power, miraculously stopped their fight. Yeomdo, still catching his breath, glared at Shin Yu-seong, a participant from the previous Mount Hua Convention.

“Hey, Yu-seong! Did you take this path last time?”

“N-No, sir. This is the first I’ve heard of it.”

Shin Yu-seong stammered, startled by Yeomdo’s murderous aura.

“Then which path did you take?”

Yeomdo asked again, still fuming.

“That road, of course.”

Shin Yu-seong pointed to the wide, well-maintained road. It looked much wider and more comfortable than the path Binggeom had pointed to. It seemed like they could reach the summit in less than an hour using lightness techniques.

That road had been built for transporting goods to Heavenly Martial Peak. Many martial artists, eager to witness the legendary Mount Hua Convention, wanted to take that path. But it was only accessible to a select few who had received invitations. Of course, the number of invitees wasn’t small.

“Hmm, I have a feeling, a personal premonition, that this Mount Hua Convention will be unlike any other.”

Shin Yu-seong said seriously, his face grim.

‘Something’s not right.’

A sense of unease gnawed at Yeomdo’s nerves.